Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md. Nahid Islam has reiterated the interim government's strong commitment to fulfilling people's hopes and aspirations despite facing multifaceted challenges, including economic struggles and an ever-evolving political environment.
In a special interview to BSS on the occasion of the current government's six-month anniversary, he said, "Along with the continuous efforts to maintain stability and unity and to counter pressure, the government is committed to realizing the hopes and aspirations of the people through mass uprisings amidst the political situation and the ever-evolving national scenario."
Nahid, who played a leading role as a leader of the anti-discrimination student movement during the July-August uprising, said, "We have overcome political challenges and are steadfast in shaping a future that reflects the will of the people of the country." The adviser said that the government's journey in the last six months has been multifaceted, including confronting internal and external conspiracies, conducting hundreds of movements, facing economic crises as well as continuous political pressure.
Despite the obstacles, Nahid Islam expressed confidence that through continued dialogue, cooperation and political will, the six-month-old government, which came to power through a popular uprising on August 8 last year, will be able to achieve the changes the nation has been seeking.
Nahid Islam, who also serves as an adviser to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and ICT, said the road ahead will not be smooth, but with the right support, the interim government hopes to lay the foundation for a more stable and prosperous future for the country.
Nahid said that as the people of the country have huge expectations from the government that came to power through a popular uprising, improving the law and order situation, ensuring justice for murderers and controlling the rise in prices of essential commodities are the main areas of public concern in the government's governance.
Admitting that the government faces massive economic challenges, he said, "When we took over the administration, there was chaos. The bureaucracy and law enforcement agencies were in a state of chaos and we had to rebuild them from there. It was not an easy task."
“The practices of the previous administration, especially widespread extortion and corruption, have created long-standing problems that cannot be eliminated overnight,” Nahid said.
On political issues, Nahid spoke of the divisions that have emerged within the forces of the popular uprising. “While the uprising brought together different groups with a desire for reform, many have begun to pursue their own interests rather than the national welfare,” he said.
Expressing frustration, he said that these divisions have hindered progress on important issues, especially political unity. He said that the unity that once existed has eroded. This lack of unity has become a significant challenge to the government’s reform efforts.
However, Nahid is optimistic that these divisions are not insurmountable. “I do not believe that unity has been completely lost. We are continuing to negotiate to resolve differences and avoid returning to the divisive practices of the past.”
The adviser said the real test of the government's ability to build unity will come through its success in implementing meaningful reforms. "The biggest challenge for us is how united we can be on the issue of reforms. The coming months will show how much progress we can make."
Nahid stressed that political will is crucial to bring about any meaningful change. He expressed hope that both political parties and the people would work together to address systemic issues.
He said there were elements in the political sphere who were still involved in extortion and some individuals who participated in the mass uprisings were now engaging in such activities. Without cooperation, it would be difficult to meet the expectations of the people.
The issue of reforms versus elections has also become a contentious one, with opposition parties, especially the BNP, calling for early elections, Nahid said, adding that the government does not see reforms and elections as mutually exclusive but as complementary objectives.
He said "The Reform Commission is working to bring about the necessary changes in the electoral and governance systems. These reforms must be implemented before the elections... otherwise, the mistakes of the past will be repeated."
Commenting on the issue of media freedom, Nahid Islam made it clear that the government has not interfered with the right of the media to freely criticize its policies. Nahid said that so far, there has been no pressure on the media to criticize the government.
He noted that while the government supports the idea of a free media, it has asked for caution when reporting on sensitive issues such as banned student organizations and individuals involved in criminal activities.
Nahid acknowledged that some media outlets have become targets of social pressure and protests. However, he stressed that law enforcement agencies and the government have intervened to ensure their safety.
Despite these challenges, Nahid stressed the government’s strong commitment to fostering a free and open media environment.
He said, “The government encourages constructive criticism and has already implemented changes based on media feedback. We welcome rational criticism and we will remain consistent in our policies.”